In an interview with the Japanese media, Kauri Yamaguchi called for the Tokyo 2020 Olympics to be postponed: "The games should not be held that people cannot enjoy. Athletes are unable to train and will not be ready" • International Olympic Committee insists: Games will be held as planned

• Will the Olympic Games take place in a timely manner?

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Japanese Olympic Committee member Kauri Yamaguchi called for the Tokyo Olympics on Thursday because athletes are unable to properly prepare for the spread of the Corona virus, she told the Japanese "Nikki" newspaper.

Yamaguchi, who won a judo bronze medal at the 1988 Seoul Olympic Games, said she plans to raise that point at a March 27 board meeting.

"The Olympics should not be held in a position that people in the world cannot enjoy," Yamaguchi said. "To the best of my understanding, athletes in the United States and Europe are not able to train normally and finish their games early. It is impossible for them to appear ready to open the games, with all the associated risks," she said.

Yamaguchi’s remarks come after the International Olympic Committee member Haley Wickenheiser on Tuesday called for the decision to continue with the games “insensitive and irresponsible”.

Wickenheimer, who competed in the Canadian Ice Hockey Team at five Winter Olympics and the 2000 Summer Olympics in softball, wrote in the Twitter account: "This crisis is bigger than the Olympic Games. Athletes can't train."

Organizers of Tokyo 2020 and the International Olympic Committee have repeatedly insisted that the games will be held as scheduled in the capital of Japan from July 24 to August 9.